Brenda Baer

To the editor,

I share with Eileen Cabanel, our City Manager, her recent remarks at a council meeting. It breaks our hearts to see so much dissension and ill will on this council when there is so much good going on and so much more to be done. But the things that remain to be done will probably not be achieved because of the relationships now existing on this council.

I was pleased to read Niel Youngs's letter wherein he spoke of the right approach around the council table with courtesy that extends to all including the public watching and listening. He realizes that sometimes you lose and sometimes you win, but regardless, you go on with the job of doing the best for the City and put aside the differences of the moment.

To the councilors I say you are not here to fight your own personal battles, but to do what is best for all the citizens of Laconia. Be true representatives of the City, and get on with the business of building and improving Laconia, not tearing it apart. Put your energies, ideas, and pride in Laconia ahead of your bruised egos and work together in a way that will insure that all the needs of all the departments are met at some point in time that will not hurt anyone. Mayor Fraser expressed it best when he said he didn't look at just the present budget. You have to look ahead two or three years and perhaps working in that manner, all of the needs can be met, but in time withour raising taxes.

To quote from Niel's letter, "You say you are in the minority on this council. You have won many times" so said Mayor Fitzgerald. And Neil said he liked to think that the wins of his minority resulted from a respect for his colleagues, which in turn was returned by the other council members. Let's get back on track and work together in mutual respect and the desire to truly represent our City.

Brenda Baer

Laconia